The Self
Dean Rickles
SpringerBriefs in philosophy 2026 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-16567-1_6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Existentialism Tying Soul Metaphysics Free will Action physics Property philosophy Epistemology Psychology of self Dualism Jungian analytical psychology |
| Key points | Argues that the self is an elusive concept that has been central to philosophy, spirituality, and psychedelic experience, and that self-knowledge involves a fundamental paradox. |
Abstract
AbstractChapter 6 examines the elusive notion of the self, which occupies a central role in philosophy, spirituality, and psychedelic experience. It begins by describing historical uses of psychoactive substances in rituals such as the Eleusinian Mysteries and Indian soma ceremonies, tying them to processes of self-actualization and individuation. The chapter surveys classical philosophical positions on the nature of self—from the idea of a unified soul to bundle theories and modern neuroscientific models—and emphasizes the paradox of self-knowledge: a self attempting to know itself is akin to an eye trying to see itself directly.